The theme of the meeting was “Responsibilities in Community/Police Relations.’’

Konyejo said the meeting was organised to enhance relations between the police and the communities in their efforts to fight crimes.

He said that such meetings would avail the police the opportunities to explain the issues about their operations to enable the people repose confidence in the force.

“The public is to have confidence in the police in carrying out their duties. If the public and the police are friends, they will fight crimes together and make the job of police easy.

“From the interaction, the public will know that the police are accountable to them. The public will now know where to go if their rights have been infringed upon. The meeting is a continuous one,’’ he said.

Mrs Ivy Basil-Ofili, the Lagos State Intervention Officer of the Nigeria Policing Programme (NPP), urged the people to go through the NHRC in seeking redress when their rights were infringed upon.

Basil-Ofili said the town hall meeting was to enlighten residents in Ikeja area on how to enhance community policing.

“The event is also for NHRC to share information on its core mandate which many do not know,” she said.

SP Adigun Fatai, the second in command of SARS under the Police Command in Lagos State , said that one way to identify SARS operatives in the state was through the Scorpion logo.

He said that the logo of the Federal SARS is Leopard.

Fatai said the dressing of SARS operatives is usually determined by the operations they were involved in.

According to him, every SARS operative is first a policeman, who worked at SARS unit of the force.

“The operatives dress as disguise to criminals.

“We can be in the midst of criminals for days, weeks and months to monitor them. No SARS operative is permitted to torture any suspect to get information.

“Anyone with such evidence should get to the OC SARS for action,’’ he said.

DSP Jessy Umossien, the officer from the Human Rights Unit of the Police Command in Lagos State, advised the people to always channel their complaints to the desk at the headquarters, area commands and divisional areas.

She said that there is the human rights’ desk at all area commands, divisions and headquarters for complainants.

Mr Duke Ifeakachukwu, the National Coordinator, Youth for Human Rights International, said that many people’s rights were trampled upon because they did not understand their rights.

He urged the people to know their rights and draw closer to the police.

“They should trust the police to protect them.

“The police should not be used to suppress the people. Community policing is the best form of security,” he said.

NHRC urges Northern Governors to come up with programme for Almajiri

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the development and implementation of a programme of action by the northern states’ governments to “permanently address the challenges posed by the Almajiri system.

The NHRC through its Executive Secretary, Mr Tony Ojukwu made the call in Abuja in an advisory on Friday in Abuja.

Ojukwu stated that this became necessary following recent developments regarding the relocation of Almajiri children across the country.

“Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19pandemic which necessitated this relocation, the Commission has called for the development and implementation of a programme of action by Northern States governments.

“This will permanently address the challenges posed by the Almajiri system to children and the larger society.

“The Commission notes that the ‘Almajiri children’ are exposed to increased vulnerabilities and risks, including death, trafficking, kidnapping, drug use and addiction, recruitment into terrorism, violent crimes, sexual and other forms of assault and forced/child marriages.”

“The Commission further notes that the Almajiri Children suffer multiple violations of human rights which go contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the Child Rights Act, the Child Rights Laws (applicable to some states)” he said.

He said that Nigeria is signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) and other international human rights instruments relating to the protection of the rights of the child.

“The Commission calls on Northern States Governments to develop a multi-sectoral “program of action for the transfer, return and rehabilitation of Almajiri children”.

” A major step towards achieving this will be an obligation on the part of affected states to “put in place financial, institutional and programmatic frameworks to urgently address the needs of the Almajiri children” he stated.

“To address poverty and other socio-economic vulnerabilities that made the parents to send out the children in the first place.”

“The commission also enjoins states to “put in place adequate plans for the enrolment and retention of Almajiri children in schools, including access to existing programmes.

According to him, such programmes as school feeding and free education aimed at addressing the educational needs of the children in line with their rights to basic and compulsory education as guaranteed under the CRA and the Universal Basic Education Act.”

“This is in line with global best practices and principles enunciated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child which Nigeria is a signatory and has domesticated in the Child Rights Act and Laws as applicable in States.

“The best interest of the child” principles will be violated “in circumstances where the Almajiri children have been relocated to places outside their homes or states of origin.

“Leading to the denial of access to their parents or guardians (necessary for children) or home governments for a structured development, and may defeat the benefits from this current initiative” Ojukwu stated.

AccordIng to him, it will also be a violation of the principles “where the process of return exposes the child to danger.. (NAN)

He therefore called on all states that have not passed the CRA to do so without further delay.

Ojukwu added that children encounter domestic violence, sexual exploitation, torture, Inhuman and degrading treatment and other forms of abuse.

He called on parents to take extra care of the children, help them stay socially connected with friends and family within their circle.

He said further that parents should support the children with information aboutCOVID -19, teach them especially basic hygiene.

Ojukwu stated that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC),1989 is a legally binding international agreement covering a variety of rights including, civil, political, economic, social, cultural and health rights of every child.

He stated that Nigeria ratified this in 1991 and domesticated it in the Child Rights Act of 2003 (CRA) as measure of her commitment to the principle of UNCRC.

The CRA, he added, strengthens the human rights provisions in Chapter 1V of the 1999 constitution as amended with regards to children.

He said specific rights of children under the Act include the right to survival, protection, family life, a name, private life, dignity, recreation, cultural activities, health and education.

The Act, he added, provides that in all matters concerning the child, the child’s best interest takes precedent.

Ojukwu stated that the CRC is one of the most ratified human rights treaty in history and had assisted in the transformation of the lives of Children all over the world.

“Let us commit ourselves to building a society where the rights of children remain paramount” he stated. (NAN)

Jos undergraduate’s killing: NHRC begins investigation

The North Central Office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), said it had began investigation into the killing of Rinji Bala, a 300 level student of the University of Jos.

Mrs Grace Pam, its Zonal Coordinator, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Jos, adding that the action had contravened the fundamental right to life as contained in the 1999 constitution as amended.

News Agency of Nigeria , recalls that the 20-year-old student, a resident of Hwolshe community in Jos South Local Government Area (LGA), of the state, was reportedly killed by a member of a security task force on May 12.

Bala was arrested that night alongside six others by the task force personnel who were on patrol, but was later released after interrogation, and having been found innocent.

The deceased was shot a few metres away from the gate of the sector by one of the members of the task force, where he and others were reportedly interrogated.

NAN also reports that the task force, through its Media Officer, Maj. Ibrahim Shittu, admitted and confirmed the incident, adding that the personnel involved in the act had been arrested and detained.

Pam promised that the commission would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators were brought to book, in accordance with its mandate.

“The National Human Rights Commission has condemned in strong terms the torture and gruesome killing of Rinji Bala, a student of the University of Jos by security personnel.

“This is inhuman and a gross violation of his right to life as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended and other international human rights instruments that Nigeria is signatory to.

“Consequently, the Commission has began investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing of the young man and will leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to book.

“This is in line with the Commission’s mandate of monitoring, investigating and enforcing human rights of all citizens,” she said.

Pam assured the family of the deceased and members of the public that the commission would not rest on its oars until all those involved in the destardly act were fished out and brought to Justice.

NHRC releases guidelines for protection of COVID-19 patients

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday released a set of standard minimum guidelines to protect the rights of COVID-19 patients in treatment centres.

NHRC Executive Secretary, Mr Tony Ojukwu, who released the guidelines during a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, said the move became necessary in view of alleged violations of the rights of patients in treatment centres in some parts of the country

He said in some cases, the violations of the rights of patients of the COVID -19 resulted into protests and abscondment of patients from the treatment centres.

“The commission deemed it fit to issue the set of guidelines in order to ensure that the basic rights of patients are guaranteed and protected,” he said.

While commending governments and health authorities at federal and state levels for the efforts already made to put facilities in place at the centres as well as other palliatives, Ojukwu urged them to, “Study and put mechanisms in place to implement the standard minimum guidelines.

” Governments have set up centres across Nigeria where COVID-19 patients are treated by medical personnel and other staff.

” As a result of the contagious nature of the virus, extreme care must be taken to secure the human rights of the patients in the Centres.

” The guidelines are aimed at ensuring that the Centres operate in line with international human rights norms and to secure the rights of the patients, medical personnel and support staff.

” It is also important that vulnerable groups such as children, persons with disabilities older persons and women are treated with the dignity and protection accorded their status ” he said.

Ojukwu said that the guidelines were made pursuant to section 5 (a)(d)(I) and 6 (g) of the NHRC Act.

The NHRC’s chief said that guidelines were composed of the rights of life, health, dignity, privacy, religion and protection against discrimination.

” It also contains provisions aimed at ensuring access to adequate accommodation, food, water and sanitation by patients at treatment centres and facilities (hereinafter referred to as the Centres) in Nigeria” he stated.

Ojukwu,who urged governments to implement the guidelines,added that the guidelines would be useful to public and private centres and other facilities were COVID-19 patients were being treated.

” The rights and guarantees enunciated in the guidelines applies to any patient or persons who have suffered violations in accordance with the Constitution.

” The Commission when requested, shall provide technical support in designing the systems and frameworks for implementation of the guidelines.

” It shall also monitor, investigate, enforce and issue periodic reports on the implementation of the guidelines” he said. (NAN)

”Out of 104 complaints/incidents of human rights violations received and documented within the period, 49 complaints were received/documented within the first week of the extended lock down period, i.e. from April 13 to April 20,

”33 complaints were received during the 2nd week (i.e. from April 20 to April 27. During the 3rd week (i.e from April 27 to May 4, only 23 complaints/incidents were received/documented by the Commission.

” This shows weekly reduction in complaints received” he stated.

Ojukwu stated that the report also documents the various thematic areas in which the violations occurred, the nature of the violations.

”It shows a reduction in the total number of complaints on human rights violations received/documented by the Commission from 105 (as contained in the first report released by the Commission on April 14.

‘This shows an improvement of the state of human rights in the enforcement of Covid 19 Regulations by law enforcement officers, Task Forces on Covid 19 and other non-state actors” he said.

According to Ojukwu, this improvement is attributed to the level of awareness created by the Commission following the release of its initial report of April 14, 2020

He added also the the reduction was the efforts to ensure accountability and adherence to the rules of engagement on the part of Law Enforcement Agencies.

Also, the disaggregated data on state reported violations, the agencies of Government responsible for the violations as well as the response/action taken to remedy the violations.

” The report shows that Enugu State has the highest recorded cases with 13 incidents unlike Lagos State that had the highest cases with 28 incidents in the earlier Report released on April 14 by the Commission.

” This is followed by Imo which had 12 incidents, Akwa Ibom and Nasarawa recorded 10 incidents each, while Delta and Abia recorded nine and seven incidents respectively.

” Niger, Zamfara, Osun and Rivers recorded three incidents each, Anambra, Jigawa, Bayelsa and Edo recorded two incidents each; while Ogun, Kogi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Kano, Cross River and Ekiti recorded one incident each” he said.

Ojukwu said that the report shows some improvement and restraint in enforcement of the lockdown on the part of law enforcement officials.

He added that this followed the public outrage and condemnation by all levels of authorities in the government, judiciary, the legislature and the executive as well as civil society.

“Accordingly, a protocol has been established between the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and the Commission to ensure accountability for the violations in line with the statement of the President that all alleged human rights violations will be investigated and accountability brought to bear for them.

” To date, all the alleged violations have been communicated to the oversight Ministries of the law enforcement agencies for full investigation and accountability. These are namely, Ministries of, Police Affairs, Defence and Interior

”The accountability steps taken by each of the law enforcement agencies should be communicated to the Commission within one month of the release of this report, and subsequently on monthly basis” he said.

The commission, he said, will henceforth give monthly update on the reports from the various Law Enforcement agencies, of accountability steps taken, as well as report where no action is taken.

He added that hopefully, each of the security agencies will in the very near future identify, make public and communicate same to the Commission, the name of very senior Desk officer who will facilitate early resolution of complaints escalated to such agency.

” The Commission commends all law enforcement officers who have shown restraint and professionalism in the face of provocation by members of the public during the lock down.

The executive secretary said that Lagos State had the highest recorded cases with 28 incidents followed by the FCT, which has 10 recorded cases.

Ojukwu commended many members of the public who actually placed calls and sent-in videos in response to the call to join hands with the Commission to monitor human rights violations during the Covid-19 lockdown period.

“This report therefore documents the various incidents of human rights violations allegedly perpetrated by security agencies and Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) by other actors during the initial lockdown.

“It also documents the various thematic areas in which the violations occurred, the nature of the violations, the disaggregated data on states where violations were reported, the agencies of Government responsible for the violations as well as the response/action taken to remedy the violations,” he said.

“There were eight documented incidents of extra-judicial killings leading to 18 deaths.

“Out of this number, 12 deaths were recorded in Kaduna State , two in Abia arising from two incidents; while Delta, Niger, Ebonyi and Katsina recorded one death each,” he said.

Ojukwu said that the record speaks volumes of the protocols and rules of engagement for our law enforcement as well as the efficiency level and capacity of law enforcement agents to deal with the civil population.

According to him, it is a sheer display of impunity and reckless disregard for human life in law enforcement by security personnel.

He revealed that the report showed further that out of the 18 deaths, the Nigeria Correctional Service was responsible for eight deaths while the Nigeria Police Force was responsible for seven deaths.

“The Nigeria Army on the other hand was responsible for two deaths while the Ebonyi Task Force on Covid-19, Afikpo South Local Government Area was responsible for one death.

“Other types of violations recorded within the period include 33 incidents of torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, 27 incidents of violation of right to freedom of movement, unlawful arrests and detention.

” 19 incidents of seizure/confiscation of properties, 13 incidents of extortion, four incidents of SGBV, and one incident of discrimination in the distribution of food items.

“The report finds that the Nigeria Police Force accounted for about 90 per cent of the total cases of violations followed by the Nigeria Army and Nigeria Correctional Service and other non-state actors,” he said.

Ojukwu said further that the report also found that 31 incidents of violations representing about 29 per cent of the complaints have been resolved by different security agencies.

“Given its mandate for the promotion and protection of human rights, the National Human Rights Commission on March 30, issued Advisory to security agencies to respect human rights in the enforcement of Covid-19 Regulations.

“This was followed by a Directive to staff of the Commission, CSOs and members of the Public on March 31 to document and report to the commission, any security agent violating human rights in their law enforcement duties while enforcing Covid-19 regulations.

“Hotlines were also circulated by the Commission to put this into effect.

“Security agencies were reminded to carry out the enforcement exercise in line with national human rights laws as well as international best practices to ensure that the rights of Nigerians are not unduly violated in the course of carrying out their law enforcement mandate,” he said.

Ojukwu said that NHRC in collaboration with Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), the UK Department of Foreign Investment and Development, the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation and the Switzerland Embassy have developed an App for the electronic monitoring, documentation and reporting of human rights violation including SGBV.

He promised that the Commission would be updating Nigerians with the state of human rights violations and SGBV during Covid-19 pandemic on weekly basis throughout the period of the lock down. (NAN )

“Reports of ejection of some Nigerians from their homes and hotels by the Chinese authorities are clearly acts of discrimination and a gross violation of human rights.

” The Commission also notes with concern the reports of seizure of international passports belonging to Nigerians.

” This was not only a violation of international human rights norms but one that is capable of rendering Nigerians stateless in a time of global emergency when nations are evacuating their nationals to safety.

‘ The alleged maltreatment of Nigerians during an outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic when nations of the world are coalescing in unprecedented acts of solidarity and commitments should be condemned in all its forms” he said.

The Commission called on the Federal Government to take immediate steps in reaching out to the Chinese Government.

“There should be a stop to the harassment of Nigerians, Africans and indeed any citizen of the world in the guise of responding to the COVID-19pandemic.

” In particular, we urge the Government of Nigeria to take all necessary steps to evacuate Nigerians willing to come home from China and other countries where they are currently at risk of discrimination or any form of racial abuse as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak” he said.

He also commended the immediate actions already taken by the Nigerian Mission in China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Ojukwu stated that the Commission will continue to monitor the human rights situation of Nigerians during and after the COVID-19 response.

He also called on the public to report any human rights violations, via call, text or WhatsApp to NHRC hotlines: (Phone/Email) , (Phone/Email) , (Phone/Email) , (Phone/Email) (NAN )

He said considering that the health workers including doctors, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, nurses and midwives, medics and paramedics, and everyone in the medical profession who put their lives on the line for the survival of others.

“With the scary pandemic which is indiscriminately claiming lives of thousands of health workers and people globally, our health workers are on the frontline, leaving behind their comfort and safety to give attention to those infected or affected with the deadly virus.

“Their sacrifice to protect the rights to health and life at a period like this cannot be under estimated”, he said.

He called Nigerians to strictly adhere to the medical guides given by the medical professionals, in other to ease the task of controlling the spread of the disease.

“We all have a role to play in the realisation of our rights to health during this period of fear and anxiety occasioned by the pandemic”, he said.

Similarly, he commended the federal government on the proposed medical and life insurance for health workers who are the first responders to the Covid -19 patients.

“There is the need to be more proactive in addressing our medical concerns, like putting in place strong and sustainable primary health care services which can easily be accessed by the poor, elderly and other vulnerable members of the society.

“Times like this call for a rethink and change in strategy to protect the rights of the people” Ojukwu said.

He further commended the efforts of federal and state governments and host of other initiatives aimed at combating the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nigeria News Agency (NAN ) reports that World health day is celebrated every April 7 to highlight health awareness. (NAN )

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday called for thorough investigation into the allegations into a case of alleged torture, inhuman and degrading treatment of an official driver attached a Cross River Magistrate.

The Executive Secretary of NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, made the call in a statement on the alleged torture.

He stated that the 35-year-old driver was allegedly beaten by the sons of Magistrate Agnes Onyebueke (under her directives) for being rude to her.

“Information reaching the Commission, revealed that since assumption of duty with the said Magistrate, the driver has perpetually been subjected to series inhuman and degrading treatments.

“These degrading treatment ranged from verbal, physical assaults and other forms of oppression.

“This particular one has left him with a broken rib, legs and bursted eye.

“There’s no justification for any form of human rights violation by anybody, especially those looked upon as the custodians of the law based on fairness and equity,” he said.

He therefore directed the Cross-River Coordinator of the Commission to collaborate with the state Commissioner of Police and relevant authorities and immediately commence a full-scale investigation into the matter with a view to ensuring that there is accountability for the human rights violations.

“If it is found that the magistrate and her sons have a case to answer, the Commission would collaborate with the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is done.

” All the stakeholders in the Criminal Justice Administration system including the National Judicial Council, should ensure that perpetrators of any form of human rights abuse/violation, no matter how highly placed, are brought to justice.

“Their victims must also be adequately compensated as prescribed by Nigerian law” he said.

In another development, Ojukwu also commended the Akwa Ibom Police Command over the action taken to penalise an erring police official for assaulting a medical personnel on duty as the country battles to contain the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The commission also commend the Military for identifying and arresting the officers involved in the death of a civilian in Delta as well as those who posted threat video on the social media.

Ojukwu enjoined all law enforcement agencies in all locations to ensure accountability for any human rights violations including sexual and gender based violence during the enforcement of Covid-19 Regulations.

” There is need to reclaim the country from the impunity of individual officers and men who smear the name of our law enforcement agencies and the government, which has the ultimate responsibility for the protection of human rights” he said. (NAN )